Synopsis

Olivia, who runs a soup restaurant outside of town on the edge of the forest, has a secret she can’t tell anyone. She can hear animals’ and humans’ inner voices. This ability left her alienated from her family to the point that they sent her away to a convent when she was only five years old. After escaping while en route, she was brought to the restaurant by the people who would become her adoptive grandparents. Twenty years later, Olivia continues to live with her heart closed off to other humans, until, one day, a former mercenary by the name of Arthur stops by on a rainy morning, dripping wet.

And what are those feelings he starts to develop for her?

Soup Forest is a place of meetings and partings, a place filled with the forest’s bounties, a place of gathering for both animals and humans. They come together, share a meal, go their separate ways, and continue on with their lives. (Source: Cross Infinite World)

A Romance Over a Bowl of Soup!

Written by Syuu and illustrated by Muni, Soup Forest is one of Cross Infinite World’s latest titles. A romantic fantasy, the series follows the blossoming relationship between Olivia, a restaurant owner who can hear the thoughts of humans and animals, and Arthur, a retired mercenary.

Typically cutesy with a little dramatic flare, the first volume’s story flickers through the start of their relationship as each chapter deals with a new encounter between the two. These encounters vary in theme, but their overall aim is to help the two deuteragonists overcome their respective traumas together, come to accept their past, and inevitably fall in love.

While each of their encounters adds something to the mix, there are two that appear as standouts, thanks to their focus on developing the two main characters. The first occurs at the midpoint and focuses on developing Arthur’s character. The plot revolves around the introduction of one of the local nobles named Karen. Having become fast friends, Olivia and Arthur’s newfound relationship is put to the test when Karen attempts to possess and control Arthur.

During this segment, the author makes clear how more than a decade as a mercenary has managed to shape Arthur’s life. With a powerful noble eager to threaten those closest to him, Arthur is ready to leave and never look back at a moment’s notice. It is clear here that his mercenary training has kicked in, as in the dangerous line of work he was in, he would’ve had to do whatever it took to survive, no matter how painful.

The second takes place towards the end of the volume and looks closer at Olivia. Within this segment, her past and present collide when the parents who abandoned her make an appearance at her restaurant. With their thoughts fully exposed, thanks to Olivia’s abilities, it becomes easier to see how she originally became traumatised, as well as why it took so long for her to get used to other humans.

Despite these positives, not every ingredient in this series’ soup is quite so tasty. Souring the soup, the themes of drama throughout are often solved too easily. Often, conflict is teased but never acted upon, as is the case with Karen, where the mayor manages to quickly usher her away thanks to a clause in her lease agreement. As a result, the antagonists involved lack the same complex and layered development that the deuteragonists have.

Overall, Soup Forest makes for a fine example of a light novel romantic fantasy. Aside from the slightly lacking drama aspect, the main characters are well-developed, and the series, on the whole, has a mature air surrounding it.

I Give Soup Forest Volume 1: 7/10